Solo Tone

4th of July

Soundgarden

Guitarmetal1990s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Telecaster (likely American Standard, early 90s, as used by Kim Thayil on Superunknown)

AmpMarshall JMP 50 half stack blended with Mesa-Boogie Dual Rectifier Solo half stack

PickupsFender single-coil (stock Telecaster pickups, passive)

Amp Settings

gain7

bass7.5

mid6.5

treble6

reverb1.5

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

fuzzElectro-Harmonix Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi (likely Op Amp version)

wahUnknown Wah pedal (model unknown, likely Dunlop Cry Baby or Morley Bad Horsie)

chorusUnknown Chorus pedal (model unknown, likely Boss CH-1 or similar)

Notes

Studio recording, 1993-1994, Superunknown album sessions. Both amps were blended for the solo section. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this part. All info specific to studio recording.

Tone Character(10)

massive, sludgy sustaindark and heavypsychedelic swirling feedbackthick, saturated distortionpercussive attackwarm but not shrillbig bottom-endsinging sustainclarity from single-coil pickupsslowly evolving feedback

Difficulty

The solo requires control of feedback, expressive use of wah and fuzz, and precise phrasing to cut through a dense, modulated mix. While not technically fast, the tone and effect management add significant challenge.

Sources

Soundgarden – Superunknown (Super Deluxe) - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard [QUESTION] Amp settings for Soundgarden's album ...Using single coils for metal...live! | Page 3 | Guitar Forum Kim Thayil on taking rock guitar into the superunknown | Guitar World

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